Start inside about 6 weeks before last frost date (or about 8 weeks
before expected transplanting). Plant 1/4 inch deep in flats or
cell-type containers. Keep soil warm (about 80 F to 90 F if possible)
until emergence. Eggplant will not germinate in cool soil.
Harden off plants carefully before transplanting by reducing temperature and water.
Wait until weather has settled, all chance of frost has
passed and soil is in the 60s F before transplanting, perhaps 2 to 3
weeks after the average last frost date. Cool conditions can weaken
plants. Frost will kill them.
Consider using raised beds or black plastic mulch to
warm soil and speed early-season growth. If using organic mulches to
help retain moisture, do not apply until the soil has warmed.
Set transplants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.
Use row covers to protect plants from pests.
If season is cool, fruit set may be inconsistent. Plants with heavy fruit set benefit from staking.
Eggplants are heavy feeders, but avoid high-nitrogen
fertilizers. They may encourage lush foliage growth at the expense of
fruit.
Pinch off blossoms 2 to 4 weeks before first expected
frost so that plants channel energy into ripening existing fruit, not
producing new ones.
To help reduce disease, do not plant eggplants or other
tomato-family crops in the same location more than once every three or
four years.HARVESTING

Harvest plants after they
develop color, but before they lose their shine. Seeds on over-ripe
fruit turn brown.Check for maturity by pushing on one side of the fruit
with the ball of the thumb. If the fruit does not spring back when
released, it is mature. Cut the stem with pruning shears and leave some
stem on the fruit.

SAVING SEEDS

Cut open a ripe and shriveling eggplant and cube it into pieces about
thumb size. Place the cubes in a colander over a pan and sprinkle with
some kitchen salt. Toss the cubes to coat evenly with the salt and begin
mashing and squeezing them with your hands. This removes much water
from the cubes, it will also releases the seeds from the flesh.
Rinse the seeds off the cubes and they'll slip through the
colander into the catching pan. Immature seeds will float atop the
water. Pour off the floating seeds and any loose bits of eggplant flesh,
add more water and stir again to separate the good from the bad. Repeat
this step as needed.
Use a small kitchen strainer to sieve the seeds from the
water, rinse them well to remove any salt. Spread the seeds in a single
layer on a coffee filter for drying. They should dry for at least two or
three days, about a week or longer if the weather is damp.

USDA Zone Range: 3-9

pH level: 5.5-6.5

Exposure: Full sun

Seed spacing: 1"

Planting depth: 1/4-1/2"

Row spacing: 36"

Germination time: 7-15 days

Maturity range: 70 days

Average Height: 18-24"

Features

Comes in E-Z Lock resealable, reusable triple-layered foil packets

Seeds are open pollinated and can be grown, harvested, and replanted endlessly

Reviewer:
MICHELLE ALMONTE-KAPLAN
from PUTNAM VALLEY, NY United States

The packaging for your seeds is excellent and ensures that the seeds will be viable for years. I am very happy with My Patriot Supply

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Packaging/Shipping

October 2, 2014

Reviewer:
Stephanie Bickford
from Sheridan , OR United States

The packaging is very well and would keep the seeds dry and safe for quite a while. They arrived fairly quickly.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Veggie seed order

September 13, 2014

Reviewer:
Jean Liepold
from Grantham, NH United States

Absolutely wonderful: seeds were cheap in comparison to other companies, seeds were packaged in aluminum to prevent moisture and light, each package contained numerous seeds.....now wait until summer 2015 to plant!!!

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

eggplant

August 24, 2014

Reviewer:
becca pineda
from national city, CA United States

for some reason eggplant is slow in growing, planted them at the same time of all my seeds, till now it is only about an inch tall.

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Great Seeds

May 18, 2014

Reviewer:
Joseph Horton
from Burns, TN United States

Planted seeds in early May because the ground remained too wet to plant in April. Seeds were sown according to instructions on packet and broke the surface within just a few days. They are growing great and can't wait to reap the bounty. Thanks, Patriot supply for safe, non-GMO seeds.